Massachusetts Centinel, 9 February The Convention met on Thursday when Major NASON, in a short address, intimated his determination of supporting the Constitution, and exerting himself to influence his constituents to do the same.
Mr RANDAL said, he had been uniformly opposed to the Constitution—he had, he said, fought like a good soldier, but, as he was beat, he should set down contented, hoping the minority may be disappointed in their fears, and that the majority may reap the full fruition of the blessings they anticipate. In the hope that the amendments recommended by his Excellency the President will take place, I shall, says he, go home and endeavour to satisfy those that have honoured me by their choice; that we may all live in peace.
Major SAWIN declared, that the Constitution had had a fair trial, and that there had not, to his knowledge, been any undue influence exercised to obtain the vote in its favour—that many doubts which lay in his mind had been removed—and that although he was in the minority he should support the Constitution as cheerfully and as heartily as though he had voted on the other side of the question.
The above open, manly and honorable conduct of the gentlemen who composed the minority was very different from that of the turbulent opposers of the Constitution in Pennsylvania, who, not content with their declamatory and odious protest against its adoption, are now endeavouring to involve their country in all the horrors of a civil war by exciting tumult and insurrection. To the everlasting honour of Massachusetts will the above be told—as it will convince the world, that her sons know rightly how to prize the great principle of republicanism—that of submitting to the decision of a majority. After the gentlemen above-mentioned had expressed their sentiments—on motion of the Hon. Mr CABOT, the following votes, were passed, VOTED, unanimously That the thanks of this Convention be given to his Excellency the President, for his generous and patriotick efforts, during a painful illness, to unite the members of this body in such a decision upon the subject of their deliberation, as in his opinion was essential to the safety and happiness of the people of the United States; and also, for the patient attention, and perfect impartiality with which his Excellency has presided while his health permitted him to regulate their debates.
VOTED, unanimously That his Honour the Vice-President be requested to accept the united thanks of this Convention for the uniform candour and impartiality exhibited by his Honour while presiding in the absence of the President.
Votes of thanks to the Rev Chaplains, and the proprietors of the Meeting-House in Federal Street, were also passed.—After which it was voted to move from the place wherein the Convention were then sitting, to the State-House, in order to declare the ratification of the Constitution, in form; which took place immediately. It being known that the indisposition of body of his Excellency the President, would prevent him from leading the Convention on foot, a number of respectable citizens appeared at the door of the house, with an elegant carriage, into which, with the violence of ardent affection and honest enthusiasm, they forced his Excellency—and notwithstanding his most earnest solicitations to be permitted to proceed in a different manner—they drew him in it to the State-House—where the Convention, having convened in the representatives' chamber voted to attend the Declaration of the ratification of the Constitution—which was done by the High Sheriff of the county of Suffolk, as follows.
[The complete text of the Form of Ratification was printed here.]